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Saturday, August 5, 2017

Media Freak Out After Sessions Suggests He’ll Subpoena Reporters

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attends a summit on crime reduction and public safety in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S., June 20, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

By Peter Hasson

04 Aug 2017, 11:59 AM

Media figures expressed alarm on Friday after Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Department of Justice is reviewing current policies about subpoenaing reporters as part of the investigation into leaks of classified information.

” I have listened to career investigators and prosecutors about how to most successfully investigate and prosecute these matters. At their suggestion, one of the things we are doing is reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas,” Sessions said at a press conferenceFriday morning.

“We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited. They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance their role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in our intelligence community, the armed forces, and all law abiding Americans.”

New York Times reporter Serge KovaleskidescribedSessions’ speech as “authoritarian-style threats.” Kovaleski’s message to Sessions: “Get ready for even greater, tougher resolve!”

“Sessions threatens the free press — which is protected by the First Amendment,”saidBuzzFeed deputy news director Tom Namako.

Other reporters expressed similar concerns on social media.

The administration is justifying the extra scrutiny of reporters who publish classified information on the grounds that national security is at risk.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said at the same press conferenceFriday morningthat the torrent of classified leaks flooding out of the executive branch pose a clear threat to national security.